“The providential meeting of Ruth and Boaz, which is related in the second chapter, is a rich and beautiful testimony to the inward grace without which even the most particular attention to biblical form in worship is worthless. God plainly declares that ‘obedience is better than sacrifice,’ to show us that while He is jealous for His appointed ordinances, He is even more interested in the heart behind them.

A dead heart can go through the motions of outward conformity to prescribe ceremonies, but the life of a true worshipper is a continual sacrifice of praise in the form of godly thought, life and conversation. Ruth and Boaz are exemplary models of this truth. Their lives are conformed to the righteousness of God, as reflected in His commandments because they are true worshippers whose hearts belong to Him.

It is interesting to reflect on the fact that conformity to every one of the ten commandments can be explicitly seen in the lives of Ruth and Boaz. Ruth purposed to worship the One true God (first commandment) and to leave behind her idols (second commandment), binding herself to Him by a solemn oath in His name (third commandment.) In Israel, she set herself upon industrious labor (fourth commandment) for the honor and support of her mother-in-law (fifth commandment). Boaz saw to it that the needs of the poor were met (six commandment) and took great care to protect the honor and reputation of Ruth (seventh commandment). Both Boaz and Ruth gained their sustenance by the work of their hands, claiming nothing that was not earned (eight commandment) and both give upright and truthful testimony both privately and publicly (ninth commandment). Neither were given to covetousness- whether Boaz of another man's lawful wife, or Ruth of the wealth and ease of others compared to herself (tenth commandment).

The righteousness of Christ, who alone is able to live in conformity to the whole law of God is seen in the life of every true worshipper. (Comin, 74-75)